Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese
Pasta and Noodles Pasta by Shape
This easy-to-make old-school macaroni and cheese has a perfectly crispy crust.
Servings per recipe: 6
Calories per serving: 695
Preparation time: 10m
Total cooking time: 55m
Ingredients:
- 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
- 3 cups milk
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Directions:
- 1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- 2 Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
- 3 Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When the butter starts to foam and bubble, stir in the flour; cook on medium heat until flour just begins to turn pale yellow, 3 to 4 minutes. Add thyme, cayenne pepper, and white pepper; cook and stir another minute, then whisk in 1 cup of milk until smooth. Pour in remaining milk and whisk again. Bring the sauce just to a simmer.
- 4 Stir in nutmeg, Worcestershire sauce, and salt; simmer on medium-low heat until thickened, about 8 minutes, whisking often. Turn heat off, then add 2 1/4 cups of Cheddar cheese; stir until melted and combined. Add Dijon mustard.
- 5 Transfer the macaroni into a casserole dish, then pour in the cheese sauce; stir to thoroughly combine sauce with pasta. Mix panko bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl, and sprinkle crumbs on top of macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup of Cheddar cheese on top.
- 6 Bake in the preheated oven until bread crumbs and Cheddar cheese topping are golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Nutrion facts:
Total Fat | 32.3g | 50% |
Saturated Fat | 20.0g | |
Cholesterol | 95mg | 32% |
Sodium | 928mg | 37% |
Potassium | 418mg | 12% |
Total Carbohydrates | 72.8g | 23% |
Dietary Fiber | 2.6g | 10% |
Protein | 29.4g | 59% |
Sugars | 8g | |
Vitamin A | 1126IU | |
Vitamin C | 0mg | |
Calcium | 572mg | |
Iron | 3mg | |
Thiamin | 1mg | |
Niacin | 12mg | |
Vitamin B6 | 0mg | |
Magnesium | 71mg | |
Folate | 204mcg |